State of Play Parent Guide
Despite some strong media messages and good performances, "State of Play" contains enough content concerns to justify leaving young viewers at home.
Parent Movie Review
If you suspect that much of the money spent on the Iraqi war is going to civilians rather than military personnel, then State of Play might substantiate your worst fears. Replete with conspiracy theories, corrupt corporations and the death of a congressman’s mistress, this film has all the ingredients necessary for a riveting political thriller.
In the story, Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) is the quintessential big city journalist who has been assigned to probe into the late night shootings of two unlucky victims. Grizzled, gruff and long-locked, he’s an old school reporter who has little regard for his newspaper’s new online blogger, Della Frye (Rachel McAdams). She, in turn, has been asked to report on the apparent suicide of Sonia Baker (Maria Thayer), a lead researcher on Capitol Hill and the mistress of Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck).
While the shootings and suicide initially appear unrelated, things begin to change when Stephen shows up on the doorstep of his old college roommate Cal. The breaking news about his illicit affair has strained his already tenuous relationship with his wife, Anne (Robin Wright Penn) and left the disgraced politician searching for a place to land. While Cal feels some remorse for his former friend, his inquisitive nature can’t help but probe Stephen for more information about Sonia’s death and her role in a congressional committee investigation.
The real connection between the cases comes, however, when Cal finds Sonia’s number on the cell phone of one of the dead men. Working with Della, he begins to follow a sordid trail of deception that points directly toward the hallowed halls of democracy.
Although kids and teens will likely have little interest in this cast of mostly middle-aged actors (save it be Rachel McAdams), the film does pose a number of media-driven dilemmas for adults to consider. As editor of the flailing Washington Globe, Cameron Lynne (Helen Mirren) is understandably motivated to sell newspapers even if it means jeopardizing journalistic integrity. However her ethics aren’t the only ones in question. There is a roster of flawed heroes in this film including Cal, whose commitment to finding the truth involves bending the law, dishing out threats and delaying the exposure of criminal evidence.
The script also contains a generous portion of sexual innuendo, suggestive terms for sexual activity and discussions of past affairs coupled with repeated profanities, terms of Deity and at least two uses of a sexual expletive. Portrayals of murder, bloody injuries, stalking, and unethical business practices also impact the lives of players and innocent bystanders in this political thriller.
With the sales of traditional newspapers sagging dramatically, State of Play is, if nothing else, a glamorized look at this historical source of news delivery. Yet despite some strong media messages and good performances, State of Play contains enough content concerns to justify leaving young viewers at home.
Starring Ben Affleck, Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren.. Running time: 127 minutes. Theatrical release April 17, 2009. Updated July 17, 2017
State of Play
Rating & Content Info
Why is State of Play rated PG-13? State of Play is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some violence, language including sexual references, and brief drug content.
After mowing down an elderly couple, crashing through a high-end boutique and running into an empty alley, a young man is gunned down along with an innocent pizza deliveryman. A woman dies in a transit accident. A congressional committee accuses a company of providing mercenary fighters to the U.S. government. A man shoots through a hospital window, killing a patient and injuring several others. A character is stalked in a parking garage. Innocent bystanders are shot at. Bloody injuries are shown. Characters discuss terrorists, illegal behavior, hired killers and the murder of several victims. A character drives while talking on a cell phone. Internal organs from an autopsy are seen. A man is taken to a secret location and questioned. A character is brutally beaten. Police shoot a man. A man consumes tranquilizers with alcohol. Characters drink on numerous occasions. One man smokes to ease stress. A girl is shown in her underwear. A woman has her breast covered only with tape. The script also includes several discussions about illicit affairs, sexual innuendo and crass words for sexual activity along with profanities, slang terms and at least two sexual expletives.
Page last updated July 17, 2017
State of Play Parents' Guide
How does Cal feel about Della’s job as a newspaper blogger? Does he consider her to be a “real journalist”? What impact does electronic newspaper delivery have on the business?
Despite all the good things Stephen has done as a congressman, he laments that all he will be remembered for is his indiscretion with Sonia. Is it fair to label people because of one mistake? Should he be forgiven or held accountable? What kind of small, seemingly unimportant acts lead to the downfall of many of the characters in this story?
Though journalist should present unbiased reports, is it possible for a writer to be completely neutral about an article? In what ways do newspapers, broadcasts or other news sources slant their stories?
Home Video
The most recent home video release of State of Play movie is September 1, 2009. Here are some details…
Release Date: 1 September 2009
State of Playon DVD is presented in widescreen, with audio tracks in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround (English, French and Spanish). Subtitles are available in English, SDH, French and Spanish.
Additional Release Materials:
- Deleted Scene
- Featurette: The Making of State of Play
State of Play on Blu-ray offers audio tracks in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English) and DTS 5.1 Surround (French and Spanish), with subtitles in English, SDH, French and Spanish.
Additional Release Material:
- Deleted Scene
- My Scene
- Featurette: The Making of State of Play
- U Control (Picture in Picture and Washington, D.C. Locations)
- Interactive Features: BD Live (Download Center and My Scenes Sharing)
Related home video titles:
Another congressional investigation into Communism proves to be a pivotal moment in the development of television news coverage in Good Night and Good Luck. An FBI agent comes under suspicion from his counterparts who hire an assistant to spy on him in Breach.